AI: Your second pair of Hands

AI can be much more than a tool for writing social media posts. Discover how artificial intelligence can become an extra pair of hands in your small business. This all practical workshop will explore how AI can assist with marketing, content creation, business planning, research, grants and proposals, sales, customer service, administration, finances, productivity, data, creativity and everyday problem-solving. Participants will learn how to use AI tools effectively, write better prompts and identify opportunities to use AI in their own business, while understanding its limitations and the importance of human judgement.

Target Audience:

Small business owners and sole traders who want to understand how AI can be practically applied to their business. The workshop is suitable for people who are completely new to AI, as well as business owners who have experimented and have experience with tools such as ChatGPT and want to discover more ways to use AI effectively and efficiently.

Key Learning Outcomes:

- Understand what AI is and how it can be practically applied to small business. Identify opportunities to use AI as an "extra pair of hands" to save time, improve efficiency and support day-to-day business activities.

- Explore how AI can act as a marketing assistant, helping with social media, campaigns, newsletters, blogs, promotions and customer personas. Discover how AI can be used as a content creator for website copy, captions, brochures, promotional material, video concepts and content planning.

- Learn how AI can support business planning, including business ideas, goals, SWOT analysis, strategy and action plans. Explore using AI as a research assistant for market research, competitor research, industry information, customer insights and identifying trends.

- Learn how AI can assist with grant applications and proposals, including understanding guidelines, identifying opportunities, structuring responses, developing ideas, drafting content and reviewing applications.

- Discover how AI can support sales, including proposals, quotes, tenders, capability statements, sales emails and follow-ups.

- Explore how AI can assist with customer service, including FAQs, customer communications, policies, and responding to difficult situations. Identify opportunities for AI to assist with administration, including emails, meeting notes, procedures, templates, checklists and repetitive paperwork.

- Learn how AI can be used as a creative brainstorming partner for new products, services, business ideas, promotions, events and problem-solving.

- Understand how AI can be used as a learning and training assistant to explain concepts, learn software and develop new skills.

- Discover how AI can act as a business sounding board, helping business owners explore problems, consider options and challenge their thinking.

- Gain an introduction to AI automation and AI agents, and understand how AI can move beyond generating answers to assisting with multi-step business tasks.

- Learn the fundamentals of effective prompting, including providing AI with context, clear instructions, examples and desired outcomes.

- Understand key considerations when using AI in business, including accuracy, privacy, confidentiality, copyright, bias and the need for human oversight. Leave with practical ideas and examples that participants can apply immediately to their own business.

The Presenter:

Julie Humphris is an experienced small business owner and business advisor with more than two decades of experience running and supporting businesses. She has worked across a diverse range of small businesses, social enterprises, community organisations and service-based businesses, with extensive experience in business planning, bookkeeping, digital tools, business coaching, program development and facilitation. Julie brings a practical, individual focused, and friendly approach to business education, making business tools and technology accessible and showing business owners how they can be applied to real-world business challenges.